Reader Question: I’m breaking out like crazy - what should I do first?

Hi PV Team! My name is Cheska and I'm 20. I've had good skin for most of my life so I never really had a skincare routine even though I love makeup. Since I joined the workforce this year though, I don't know, my skin just went crazy! Maybe it's the long daily commute from my house to my office that did it. I now have pimples all over my face and I don't know what to do. I would love any advice!

Hi Cheska! I'm sorry to hear that! My first advice is to ease back on the makeup use for now and start maintaining a basic yet mild skincare routine. The Internet might tell you to go for acne drying treatments like salicylic acid, tretinoin, or tea tree oil, but those harsh solutions should be your last recourse - not the first! And don't get me started on lemon juice, baking soda, and other popular home remedies. They might irritate you more and add scaly, red skin to the existing issue.

In my experience, cleansing the right way helps a lot in dealing with acne. I know, it sounds like such an impossibly simple solution, but you'd be surprised by how much of our acne is caused by poor cleansing! Just imagine all the dirt, oil, and bacteria stuck on your skin all day just doing the devil's work. On top of that, wearing makeup (especially the long-wearing, water-resistant kind) and not removing it thoroughly causes the product to sink into your pores, blocking them and causing your skin to react. Imagine layers and layers of that just sitting on your skin and coating it with a layer of nastiness impervious to just normal soap!

So yeah, cleansing correctly is a good first step. I recommend double cleansing since you like to wear makeup. First, take everything off with a gentle makeup remover like the Cetaphil Cleansing Cloths (P230). I like to focus around my nose where the makeup settles and my chin where I use heavy coverage products. Wipe your eyes gently - no rubbing! - to take off eyeshadow, eyeliner, and non- waterproof mascara. I love these Cetaphil cloths because they are efficient, scentless, and feel so smooth on skin.

Once everything is gone, massage a peso-sized amount of the Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser (P115/60ml, P188/118ml, P376/250ml, P684/473ml) all over your face and rinse with water. You can also wipe it off with a clean dry cloth, if you wish. This cult fave cleanser is a dermatologist fave for a reason! It’s ideal for all skin types, even for the most sensitive skin as it's mild and non-irritating. Pro tip: it can also be used as a body wash if other cleansers are too harsh!

Double cleansing adds an extra step, but I promise it will do wonders in keeping your skin healthy and clear. ^_^ You can use a toner and moisturizer afterwards to keep your skin hydrated. I've been doing this for years so it's automatic for me already and yup, it's well worth the time and cost! However, if your pimples persist, it might be time to see a dermatologist. Give this a try first though, and let me know how it goes!

By the way ladies, Cetaphil has a special promo this holiday season! If you buy two bottles, you can get one for free - the whole set is P778 only. This is available in Watsons so drop by soon before stocks run out. If you're a fan of the iconic Cetaphil cleanser and stock that stuff for your sensitive skin, now is the time to get hoardin'!

This story is brought to you by Cetaphil. The promo is per DOH-FDA CCRR Permit No. 745 s. 2016.